2010 Green, Donald Feb 26 2010, Albany NY "Uncle Noonie." 50 YO

[PorchlightUSA]

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Su...obe-1020592.php

ALBANY -- A recently fired state Department of Health employee pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to kidnap a high-level marijuana dealer now presumed dead -- a case being probed for ties to two other area missing persons investigations.

Gino Uzzell, 48, of Albany faces 7 to 21 years in state prison under his guilty plea to second-degree conspiracy in the June 13 abduction of Steven Jackson, 41, of Guilderland. Jackson was kidnapped about 1 p.m. at 40 Parkwood St., a space off New Scotland Avenue in Albany described as a marijuana storage house.

As part of the plea deal, Uzzell, known as "G," must cooperate against any defendants in the case. That includes Ricky Thornton, 40, known as "L," Anthony Davis, 39, known as "Inf," and Jason Benn, 37, all of Albany.

All have pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy. They face 25 years to life if convicted. Uzzell faced the same charges before making the deal Friday.

Authorities have said Uzzell was a drug partner of Jackson, who was known as "Swag." They have said Uzzell targeted the dealer with the muscle of Thornton and Davis.

Jackson is believed to have been awaiting drugs -- in a deal involving around 500 pounds of marijuana -- when he was abducted. He died at some point during the abduction, authorities said.

An indictment said between June 14 and 16, Uzzell spoke to four people on a cell phone to find locations where Jackson could be storing marijuana and its proceeds.

On Friday, Uzzell specifically admitted placing a GPS device under the carpet in Jackson's car on April 15 so he could be traced by Thornton and Davis.

Uzzell's wife shed tears as he entered the guilty plea before acting Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont. Uzzell, who had been held on $250,000 bail, had his bail reduced to $10,000, which he posted Friday. His sentencing, which depends on his cooperation in the case, was postponed indefinitely. It is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Francisco Calderon and Eric Galarneau.

"It is my understanding and my client's understanding that Mr. Uzzell set up this entire caper," said Holly Trexler, the attorney for Thornton, now in prison on unrelated charges. "So he was very fortunate that the Albany County district attorney's office offered him a plea deal."

Albany police and other agencies have searched for Jackson's body, including the two-day draining of Tivoli Lake in Albany on Aug. 3 and 4, as well as near the Pennsylvania border, authorities said.

When Tivoli Lake was drained, observers believed police were looking for the body of Ashley Marie Carroll, 24, of Troy, who went missing May 6 after being dropped off by a friend in Albany's West Hill. Carroll, the mother of a 1-year-old girl, was expected to meet a boyfriend, who told police he never saw her.

But authorities now say the lake was searched for Jackson alone.

Investigators said they are probing possible ties between Jackson's and Carroll's disappearances -- as well the missing person case of Donald Green, 50, of Schenectady, known as "Uncle Noonie."

Green was last seen on Feb. 26, 2010, leaving the Silver Slipper bar in Albany. Schenectady police have said the circumstances of his disappearance are "believed to be suspicious."

Law enforcement sources have said Thornton and Davis have connections to the ongoing missing persons cases of Carroll and Green, but stopped short of identifying them as suspects. Authorities do not believe Uzzell played a part in those disappearances.

Uzzell's attorney, Terence L. Kindlon, declined to elaborate on his client's role in the Jackson kidnapping. He equated Uzzell's actions to the 1996 Coen brothers movie in which a man played by actor William H. Macy hires two goons to kidnap his wife -- and it later turns deadly.

"Did you ever see the movie 'Fargo?'" Kindlon said. "He's William Macy."

Kindlon said his client was a state worker who got caught up with the wrong crowd. Uzzell had worked for the health department since 2001, recently earning $49,821-a-year as a health program aide in the Division of Managed Care's office of health insurance programs. He was fired after his arrest.

"He's a gentle soul. He wouldn't hurt a fly," Kindlon said. "Unfortunately, conspiracy casts a very wide net."

Reach Robert Gavin at 434-2403 or rgavin@timesunion.com.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/He...p#ixzz1EqLXAvfa

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http://blog.timesunion.com/crime/attorney-...pearances/6455/

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Coverage of crime and corruption in the Capital Region
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Attorney: Businessman had ‘absolutely nothing to do’ with kidnapping, two other disappearances
January 21, 2011 at 9:27 am by Robert Gavin

The attorney for an Albany businessman charged with the kidnapping of a marijuana dealer presumed dead says his client has no connection with the disappearance — or two other missing persons cases.

Anthony Davis, 39, known as “Inf,” is among four men charged with the June 13, 2010, abduction of 41-year-old Steven Jackson at 40 Parkwood St., identified as a marijuana storage location.

The Jackson case is being probed for ties to two other missing persons cases: Ashley Marie Carroll, 24, of Troy, last seen in Albany in May; and Donald Green, 50, of Schenectady, known as “Uncle Noonie,” last seen leaving an Arbor Hill bar last February.

But Davis’ recently hired attorney, Bryan Rounds, scoffed at the allegations and any link to other cases.

“Anthony Davis had absolutely nothing to do with this kidnapping of Steven Jackson,” Rounds told the Times Union. “Ashley Carroll and Donald Green — again, my client had absolutely nothing to do with that.”

[PorchlightUSA]

Lawyer: My client not a kidnapper
Attorney Bryan Rounds claims his client, Anthony Davis, is a businessman
By ROBERT GAVIN Staff Writer
Published 12:00 a.m., Friday, January 21, 2011
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ALBANY -- The attorney for an Albany businessman charged with the kidnapping of a marijuana dealer presumed dead says his client has no connection with the disappearance -- or two other missing persons cases.

Anthony Davis, 39, known as "Inf," is among four men charged with the June 13, 2010, abduction of 41-year-old Steven Jackson at 40 Parkwood St., identified as a marijuana storage location.

The Jackson case is being probed for ties to two other missing persons cases: Ashley Marie Carroll, 24, of Troy, last seen in Albany in May; and Donald Green, 50, of Schenectady, known as "Uncle Noonie," last seen leaving an Arbor Hill bar last February.

But Davis' recently hired attorney, Bryan Rounds, scoffed at the allegations and any link to other cases.

"Anthony Davis had absolutely nothing to do with this kidnapping of Steven Jackson," Rounds told the Times Union. "Ashley Carroll and Donald Green -- again, my client had absolutely nothing to do with that."

Rounds said any connection to the Carroll and Green disappearances is pure speculation and "unfortunate and sad" for their families.

"Unfortunately, because I have not seen a solitary piece of evidence or heard of one that connects him to those disappearances," Rounds said, "and sad, because it gives these people who loved these missing persons the false hope that my client's arrest will bring closure for them."

Jackson, of Guilderland, known as "Swag," is described by authorities as a high-level pot dealer. Law enforcement sources allege Gino Uzzell, 47, known as "G," arranged the kidnapping of Jackson, who they identified as Uzzell's drug partner. They contend Uzzell recruited the services of Davis and Ricky Thornton, 40, known as "L," to abduct the dealer at the Parkwood Street address, located in a neighborhood between New Scotland Avenue and Ridgefield Park.

Between June 14 and 16, Uzzell spoke on the phone with at least four people "for the purpose of identifying locations where Steven Jackson may be storing marijuana and or marijuana proceeds," an indictment stated.

Law enforcement sources say Jackson was waiting for drugs -- in a deal involving around 500 pounds of marijuana -- when he was kidnapped about 1 p.m. He is presumed to have died during the abduction, which allegedly lasted at least 12 hours.

Authorities familiar with the case do not believe Uzzell played a part in the disappearances of Green or Carroll. They stop short of calling Davis and Thornton suspects in those cases, but said they have definite ties to the investigations. No arrests have been made in the disappearances of Green or Carroll.

Uzzell, Davis, Thornton and Jason Benn, 37, all of Albany, are all charged with first-degree kidnapping and felony conspiracy in the disappearance of Jackson. If convicted, they face 25 years to life in prison. Benn was charged with possessing stolen property because authorities allege he used Jackson's stolen credit card at a Price Chopper the day the man was kidnapped.

Davis, who owns the Super Sandwiches and Deli Shop on Central Avenue, was formally arraigned Wednesday before acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont. Thornton, in state prison on unrelated charges, appeared before Lamont Thursday represented by Conflict Defender Thomas Dulin.

The Times Union reported earlier this month that Thornton and Davis were convicted in 1986 as teenagers for violent robberies that victimized the elderly. Rounds said the past cases played no significance in the kidnapping case outside of making Davis a "very attractive target" for authorities.

"My client is (no longer) the 15-year-old kid who was convicted of those crimes," Rounds said. "He's a businessman who has been trying successfully to create a life for himself that's different than the one he had as a child -- until this."

Reach Robert Gavin at 434-2403 or rgavin@timesunion.com.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/La...pper-969096.php

[PorchlightUSA]

Probe of abduction continues to deepen
State employee, other man arraigned in case involving June kidnapping
By ROBERT GAVIN Staff Writer
Published 12:00 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2011

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Gino Uzzell (police photo)
Gino Uzzell (police photo)

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ALBANY -- A longtime state Department of Health employee allegedly hired two men with violent pasts to abduct a high-level marijuana dealer presumed dead but is not a suspect in two other disappearances.

Gino Uzzell, 47, of Albany, is being held on $250,000 bail on allegations he orchestrated the June 13 kidnapping of 41-year-old Steven Jackson at 40 Parkwood St. in Albany, a location off New Scotland Avenue believed to be a marijuana storage house.

Investigators are probing possible ties between the Jackson abduction and the missing persons cases last year of Ashley Marie Carroll, 24, of Troy and Donald Green, 50, of Schenectady, known as "Uncle Noonie."

But authorities do not believe Uzzell, known as "G," played a part in those disappearances, according to people with knowledge of the case.

Law enforcement sources believe Uzzell was a drug partner of Jackson, known as "Swag." They say Uzzell sought the services of co-defendants Ricky Thornton, 40, known as "L," and Anthony Davis, 39, known as "Inf," to target the dealer.

Court papers allege that between June 14 and 16, Uzzell had cellphone conversations with four people to identify locations where Jackson could be storing marijuana and pot proceeds.

Jackson was awaiting the arrival of drugs in a transaction -- involving around 500 pounds of pot -- when he was abducted. Authorities said Jackson died at some point during the abduction, which took place around 1 p.m.

No arrests have been made or charges filed in the cases of Carroll and Green. Carroll, the mother of a 1-year-old girl, was last seen May 6 after being dropped off by a friend on First and Quail streets in West Hill. She was expected to meet a boyfriend, who told police he never saw her. Green was last spotted leaving the Silver Slipper bar in Albany on Feb. 26, 2010. Schenectady police have said the circumstances of Green's disappearance are "believed to be suspicious."

One person with knowledge of the case stopped short of identifying Thornton and Davis as suspects in the disappearances of Ashley and Green -- but said the men have definite connections to the open investigations.

The Times Union reported Tuesday that Thornton and Davis, as teenagers, were convicted for violent robberies described as "diabolical." In 1986, an Albany County prosecutor said the two then-teenagers were part of a group that victimized "the frail, the defenseless, the elderly."

In the case of Jackson, a five-count indictment unsealed last week accused Uzzell, Thornton, Davis and Jason Benn, 37, all of Albany, with first-degree kidnapping and second-degree felony conspiracy. Benn is also charged with possession of stolen property for allegedly using Jackson's stolen credit card at a Price Chopper the day of the kidnapping.

Uzzell, who was arrested Jan. 6 at his job in the Corning Tower, has worked for the Health Department since Oct. 15, 2001. He earns $49,821-a-year as a health program aide in the Division of Managed Care's office of health insurance programs, department spokeswoman Claudia Hutton said.

Uzzell has since been sent a "notice of termination" at his home and the Albany County jail and is suspended as the department takes actions to fire him. He can be paid for accrued time off while under suspension, the spokeswoman said.

On Thursday, Uzzell and Davis appeared separately in Albany County Court for formal arraignments before acting Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont.

The judge agreed with a request from Assistant District Attorney Francisco Calderon to hold Uzzell on $250,000 bail.

The prosecutor told the judge that Uzzell, who has three prior misdemeanor convictions, has nine different addresses, including one in Irvine, Calif.

Terence L. Kindlon, the attorney for Uzzell, had noted his client worked for the state, all told, for 20 years and has no felony record. He said his client denied any complicity in the case.

Uzzell signaled hello to his family, including his wife and mother, as they watched the proceeding from the gallery. They declined comment.

Davis, who appeared without a lawyer, told the judge he hopes to hire defense attorney Bryan Rounds. His formal arraignment was adjourned to Jan. 19. Davis, who owns the Super Sandwiches and Deli Shop on Central Avenue in Albany, also said hello to family members in the courtroom.

Reach Robert Gavin at 434-2403 or rgavin@timesunion.com.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Pr...epen-955842.php

[PorchlightUSA]

Charges in mystery
Police: Trio linked to vanished drug dealer, possibly 2 others
By ROBERT GAVIN Staff Writer
Published 02:27 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011


ALBANY -- Three Albany men have been charged with kidnapping a high-level marijuana dealer who vanished in June and is presumed dead -- and investigators are probing possible ties to two other local missing persons cases.

Gino Uzzell, 47, of Green Street; Anthony Davis, 39, of North Allen Street; and Jason Benn, 37, of Hudson Avenue are charged with abducting Steven Jackson on June 13 outside a marijuana storage house on Parkwood Street.

Their arrests come after a six-month investigation that revealed possible ties to the disappearances of Ashley Marie Carroll, 24, a Troy woman last seen in May, and a missing man identified only as Donald Green.

Authorities believe Jackson, 41, of Guilderland, known as "Swag," was a drug partner of Uzzell, who allegedly orchestrated his abduction with the help of cronies that included his two co-defendants.

Jackson, formerly of Hempstead on Long Island, was awaiting the delivery of drugs in a deal involving around 500 pounds of marijuana when he was abducted, investigators say.

They allege the kidnappers watched Jackson on Parkwood Street -- using a GPS tracking device -- and engaged in a criminal conspiracy between Feb. 1 and June 16. The co-defendants and two other men allegedly communicated by cellphones during the scheme.

On the day of the abduction, the men allegedly watched the Parkwood Street spot from 8 to 11:07 a.m. Davis and another man placed calls to Uzzell before the abduction, which took place at about 1 p.m., the indictment said.

The investigation was aided by tips generated by media reports of Jackson's disappearance, District Attorney David Soares said in a statement.

"This investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are expected," he stated.

Uzzell, known as "G," works for the state Department of Health. According to a 1996 article in the Times Union, he once operated Lenzell's, a Central Avenue clothing business, with his mother.

The store's grand opening in March 1996 attracted dignitaries such as Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and Mayor Jerry Jennings. "We're in it for the duration," Uzzell was quoted as saying at the time.

Authorities said Davis, known as "Inf," owns the Super Sandwiches and Deli Shop on Central Avenue in Albany. He was described as the muscle in the apprehension of Jackson.

All three men were charged with first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy. The kidnapping count alone carries 25 years to life.

Benn, known as "Jay," is charged with possessing stolen property because he allegedly used the victim's credit card on the day of the kidnapping at a Price Chopper supermarket on Central Avenue.

The five-count indictment was unsealed Thursday by acting state Supreme Court Justice Dan Lamont. The indictment said the conspirators' plan was to kidnap Jackson and "leave him to die."

It continued: "The object of the conspiracy was to thereby extract information from Steven Jackson relating to the location of marijuana and marijuana proceeds and so to acquire said marijuana proceeds from the person of Steven Jackson and/or from places under his custody or control."

Formal arraignments were postponed for Uzzell and Davis, who did not have attorneys. Benn was represented by Michael Feit. All three pleaded not guilty and are being held without bail at the county jail. Benn was clad in a shirt with an image of a crown and the words "of the hood."

Carroll vanished after telling friends she was meeting up with a boyfriend in the area of First Street in Albany. Her mother, who lives in Rensselaer, reported Carroll missing to police in that city, where Carroll had lived. Albany police subsequently joined the search.

"At least it's a starting point. We haven't heard anything," said Jim Carroll of Cohoes, uncle of Ashley Carroll. "I'm glad to hear something. It's been 244 days ... just not knowing is the worst. I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've spent. Where could she be?"

The investigation into the disappearance of Jackson involved police from Albany, Guilderland, Rensselaer and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Authorities asked anyone with information about the case or other missing persons cases in the Capital Region to call Albany detectives at 462-8039.

Reach Robert Gavin at 434-2403 or rgavin@timesunion.com.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Ch...tery-941537.php

[PorchlightUSA]

http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/in...&#entry11295437

[PorchlightUSA]

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- Nearly two years after the disappearance of a Schenectady man, police are once again turning to the public for clues. Donald Green was last seen on February 26th, 2010 at the Silver Slipper bar on Henry Johnson Boulevard in Albany.

His car was found the following day in Colonie. Police said he hasn't contacted his friends or family since then. They said the circumstances of his disappearance are suspicious, but they've exhausted all their leads so far.

If you have any information about Green's whereabouts, you're asked to call Schenectady police at 788-6566.
http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com/content/top_st...-disappearance/